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I went on a sprinkle binge this weekend.
A Halloween sprinkle binge.
It’s officially October tomorrow. I’m not ashamed of my premature festive-sprinkle-madness.
Pardon my recipe-repeat today. Although I’m sure you never saw the originals posted back in March. Thankfully we’re nearing Halloween because those old photos may give you a fright!
I figured I’d showcase the brownie bites for you again because (1) I wanted to bake these brownies and (2) I want you to bake these brownies.
Get it? Got it. Good.
Whether they are bite sized, oversized, or regular… I’m pretty picky about my brownies.
Actually, it’s the brownie texture I’m particular about.
You see, brownies come in all different forms. They may be cake-like, fudgy, chewy, moist, dense, greasy, or dry. Or a weird combination of all of the above.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I prefer my brownies so chewy and so fudgy that they taste like a dense chocolate frosting you can eat with a fork. Not greasy, not cakey, and certainly not dry. Eww.
But it’s an arduous task to find a homemade brownie recipe that is fudgy, but not greasy. Tender, but not cakey. Chewy, but not dry. Luckily, I have a no-fail homemade brownie recipe encompassing all that.
A recipe that has won my heart for years.
My brownie selling points: this recipe uses melted quality chocolate instead of cocoa powder, thus producing an extremely rich, intense chocolate flavor without drying the brownie out. I also use as little flour as possible, so I can avoid a cakey brownie. There’s also NO mixer needed! Simply melt the butter and chocolate and add the remaining ingredients.
Easy peasy.
To make the brownie bites, I simply cut the baked and cooled brownies into tiny squares. You could also cut them into rectangles or use cookie cutters to make assorted shapes.
I chill my brownie bites before I dip them because they are much too delicate to dip into heavy chocolate when they are room temperature.
For dipping my goodies, whether it is chocolate covered pretzels or today’s brownies, I almost always use Ghirardelli Baking Bars. These bars are good quality chocolate and melt very easily. Plus, I can usually find them on sale and stock up.
The amount of chocolate in my pantry at any given time is startling.
Now comes the fun part! After you melt the chocolate, simply dip the top of the chilled brownie bite into it.
Did I even need to type that out?! 
Then you can go sprinkle-crazy with your brownie bites! Use any sprinkles your heart desires. For today’s brownies, I used my collection of Halloween sprinkles. Pretty!
I need to admit that it’s not the double dose of chocolate that sold me on this recipe.
It was the sprinkles.
Obviously.
A chocolate treat to add to your holiday recipe arsenal, these brownie bites are sure to be gobbled up by kids and adults alike. I plan to wrap them up in little treat bags for my coworkers and friends during the holidays.
Friends reading this post: please act surprised.
*If you prefer, you may use a boxed brownie mix instead the homemade brownies. I promise, I won’t be mad.
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Makes about 48 bites. I kept my brownie bites in the refrigerator. They are good up to one week stored covered.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 8 ounces coarsely chopped bittersweet (or semi-sweet) chocolate (I used 2 4 oz Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Baking Bars)
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces melting chocolate or chocolate chips (I used 2 4 oz Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Baking Bars)
- sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Spray 11 x 7 inch baking pan (or 13 x 9 inch baking pan for thinner brownies) with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Melt butter and semi-sweet chocolate in a medium saucepan on medium heat, stirring constantly (about 6 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature (about 15 minutes).
- Stir sugar into cooled chocolate/butter mixture until combined. Add in the eggs one at a time, whisking until smooth after each addition. Whisk in the vanilla. Gently fold in the flour and salt. Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing the top with a knife. Bake for approx 35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out almost clean.
- Allow brownies to cool completely (I stuck mine the refrigerator for 1 hour) and cut into bite-sized squares using a cold knife for clean cuts. Allow to chill the brownie bites for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator. The bites must be cold when you dip them.
- When the brownie bites are chilled, begin to dip them. In a medium size bowl, melt the chocolate chips or baking chocolate for about 30 seconds in microwave, stirring every 10 seconds. Microwave for longer until chocolate is completely smooth.
- Dip brownie tops into melted chocolate and decorate with sprinkles. Chill in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes until chocolate is hardened.
Notes
adapted from Taste of Home Baking cookbook
© Sally’s Baking Addiction. All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, or link back to this post for the recipe.
What are your favorite recipes using chocolate and sprinkles?
Here are some of mine.
Oreo Cheesecake Pretzels Bites
Mini Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwiches
Cake Batter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Oh my goodness Sally. Can I go on your sprinkle binge with you? If we ever meet you need to make these for me. I need to make these for me. The fudgier the better!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted..Witch Hat Cupcakes {Halloween Week!}
you’ve got to try these! I know you love festive recipes AND sprinkles, Dorothy!
I am all for sprinkle binges
These look great and really made me in the mood for chocolate!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes recently posted..Red Pepper Pasta with Avocado Cream Sauce
I’ve been known to eat sprinkles by the spoonful. Sprinkles with ice cream on the side! Love sprinkle binges, thanks Ashley!
Um, how are your pictures consistently SO gorgeous? And your recipes fail-proof and positively delicious? I’m convinced you practice magic or sorcery or something because this is unreal. Sprinkle binges are the best kind of binges. And these brownies are the bees knees!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel recently posted..Brownie Cupcakes with Brownie Batter Frosting
Hayley! We’re twins with our sprinkles this weekend. I love it! THANK YOU for the sweet comment regarding my photos! They are the hardest part. Not baking or finding the time to blog, but learning how to shoot pictures in the right light has been tough! “The bees knees!” I always say that lol
Sprinkle binges are the best kind! I keep checking our Target but no sprinkles yet! But at least I can bake some awesome looking fudgey brownies…I’m sure I have loads of other holiday sprinkles that need used up! I am seriously craving brownies now:-)
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life recently posted..Chocolate Pumpkin Spider Donuts
Target is where I bought mine! It the Halloween section.
OMG! These look so good! The only problem with bite sized food though…one is never enough! Can’t wait to try these babies
I agree! So easy to pop one or two or even more
Sally they look awesome. I LOVE the dark chocolate with the pop of sprinkles. They just POP off the screen! I can tell you took your time with these images. Great clarity and detail! And of course, great recipe. Really, you cannot go wrong with all that chocolate! And sprinkles
Great minds think alike b/c I have a very chocolaty week coming up!
Averie @ Averie Cooks recently posted..September 2012 Recipes
The lighting and camera were not my friend over the weekend, so I appreciate your comment Averie! It was tough! A simple recipe, but I wanted an excuse to bake with all my sprinkles!!
These look absolutely delicious! Wow i will definitely be trying these soon- the decorations are gorgeous! How did your blogging career begin- i’ve just started my own blog and am really interested in learning how other people on wordpress got their blog out there for other people to know about and visit!
I would love any advice you have to offer no matter how small
Katie
My blog is: distortedfocus.wordpress.com
Love to hear what you think about it 
Katie recently posted..And So It Begins
How my blogging career began is a long and winded story but you can read excerpts in my about page. Use social media portals (twitter, FB, etc) to get your name out there. Thanks Katie and good luck with your blog!
I love a good sprinkle binge….and a good brownie!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets recently posted..Candy Corn Cake Bars
Honestly, these could not look any more perfect! And I love all the sprinkles! So cute and fun
Colleen @ What’s Baking in the Barbershop?! recently posted..Banana Cinnamon Pancakes
perfect?? thanks Colleen, that’s so sweet of you
I’ve never been much of a sprinkle person but I think these might change my mind! I just love how vibrant these look.
Jen @ Savory Simple recently posted..Baked Eggs and Chorizo
i liked the bright, vibrant colors on top of the dark brownies too
Dense, chewy, fudgey brownies are the best! Totally worth doing another post on them
Elaine recently posted..Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Pumpkin Buttercream
my thoughts exactly Elaine
Halloween sprinkles? I am all over that idea. And brownie bites: um, yes, please! My hubs will adore these!
Cassie recently posted..Corn Cookies
While I don’t have much authority when it comes to brownies, I don’t like greasy, cakey, or dry blondies, and it’s even harder to make a blondie that doesn’t have those characteristics. I am going to have to work sprinkles into my blondies soon. Sprinkles make everything better
Laura Dembowski recently posted..Pumpkin Cookies with Penuche Frosting
dry blondies sound terrible to me too, it’s hard to find that “perfect” recipe though! thanks Laura
I’m so jealous of your sprinkles. They just make everything more cheery! And I love your description of the brownies. You clearly understand the problems afflicting the brownie world today.
Erin @ Texanerin Baking recently posted..Gluten-free Chewy Pumpkin Cookies + Pumpkin Link Party
i agree about the sprinkles! they fix everything. brownies can be wayyyy too over the top, but a nice thick, fudgy, chewy brownie will go pretty far.
Honestly, Ive never loved making brownies….I think these may change my mind. And I think sprinkles make everything look better…they are happy
Awesome as usual!!
Lara recently posted..Chocolate Cake Truffles
thanks Lara! i think sprinkles make these brownies much more fun and they’re bite sized. the best part!
I LOVE sprinkles! I think it’s my favorite part of every holiday
They just make everything so much better!
Nicole @ The Marvelous Misadventures of a Foodie recently posted..Currently: September 2012
festive sprinkles ARE the best part of every holiday! i completely agree, Nicole!
A new Bulk Barn just opened up in my neighbourhood, and they have practically an entire isle just for sprinkles! Every colour! I though of you instantly, and then proceeded to buy the Halloween mixture for the chocolate-covered pretzels of yours I made yesterday.
an entire aisle of sprinkles? that sounds like heaven to me! nice choice making the chocolate covered pretzels
Sprinkles make the world go round! And these brownies! What can I say except, I think you may have just produced my favorite dessert ever. Chocolate on chocolate equals love.
how cute and perfectly bite-sized are these?! so great for a halloween/fall get together!! i love the sprinkles, as always
Julie @ Table for Two recently posted..Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chunk Muffins
Fudgy brownies are the ONLY way to go, in my opinion! Hmmmm, I bought a TON of Halloween/fall sprinkles over the weekend and need a good reason to put them to use…I’m thinking THESE for the football game this weekend! And while your original pictures back in March were still fabulous, it gives me hope that my photography skills might improve over time, too. I’m always in awe of your photos, Sally!
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl recently posted..Nacho Stuffed Shells
thank you ashley! it’s funny, as a food blogger… it’s not the baking that leaves me stressed, it’s the photography that I lose sleep over. I never think it’s perfect enough! But each picture is practice and it’s a continuous learning journey!
Bite-sized brownies? Sally, these look dangerous because I know that the deceiving “bite-sizedness” is going to have me eat a gazillion of these! Plus, they’re so pretty! Those sprinkles are enablers!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious recently posted..#MuffinMonday: Raspberry Orange Muffins
my motto seems to be… if you want something to look adorable, make it bite sized and add sprinkles. sprinkles fix everything
I love these! I can think of so many ways to decorate them for all different occassions. Perfect!
Good Food Good Friends recently posted..Salted Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark
I already have christmas plans for these brownie bites.
I love all the bright colored sprinkles. I need to make a run myself! These look incredible! My mouth is watering and I am craving some chocolate now!
luv what you do recently posted..Weekend Getaway
It’s so colorful and beautiful!
Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today recently posted..Galette with almonds and figs
Sally, I have been waiting to make these, and today was the day!! But ugh, something went wrong for me. First, I used unsalted butter, but I didn’t think that would be a big problem. But when I cut them, and I let them cool really good, some of them crumbled! What did I do wrong?? I cut them with a steak knife – was that wrong (I’m just learning, please be kind!!). I tried to be careful when I saw whaat was happening but some of the bottoms fell off. I haven’t frosted and sprinkled them yet. They are just chilling right now. Please give me your thoughts!!
Hi Donna!I love these brownie bites so much – I’m sorry the brownie base is being difficult. It sounds like they may have been overbaked. If you weren’t able to salvage any, I would try making these agin but underbaking them slightly. They are actually much easier to work with. Did you bake for 35 minutes or around that time? NO matter what kind of bar I am cutting, I always use a big heavy knife, such as a 10-inch chef’s knife. Cut in one strong motion. I hope this helps!
Thank you Sally, I’m going to try again! Stay tuned!!
Hi, Love your blog and hope you can advise me. I’d like to make your recipe in mini muffin pans with baking cups. Do you think it will work if I just cut the baking time? Obviously I won’t be able to dip them so will frost instead. Thanks!
Hi Irish – yes this will work just fine in a muffin tin. In fact, I’ve made a recipe like this but with peanut butter instead – you may want to check this recipe for the baking time: http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2012/03/28/peanut-butter-chocolate-brownie-cups/
Thanks, will be making them for a holiday party next week. Going to frost with a white icing and decorate with Xmas sprinkles. I’ll be making those peanut butter brownies soon, too. Let you know how they turn out.
Love your recipes so much, this is my go-to brownie recipe! I’ve done a twist on it in a new blog post, hope you like it!
Lily Erskine recently posted..Valentine Baking – Rose Flavoured Brownie ❤
Can’t wait to check it out Lily!!
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